Devotions For Your Day

God’s Got You!

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment
Keep Pursuing. He’s got you!

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12)

I was impressed with this reference as I was telling the Lord, “I hope to be a better wife. I hope to be a better mother. I hope to be a better sister, friend, saint, etc, I hope to be more beneficial to the Kingdom. I hope to be more disciplined. I repented of my lethargy and many failures.

Not knowing what the scripture reference was, I turned the pages of my Bible, and read the words. I felt God letting me know through His Word that He understands I haven’t reached perfection yet. I am on a journey of pursuit. I am following the leading of His Spirit, so that at some point in the future, I WILL APPREHEND. (Strong’s #G2638 “Take eagerly, Seize, Possess) what God HAS APPREHENDED (Same Word) me for.

God has taken hold of me eagerly. He has Seized hold of me. He has possessed me for His purpose. HE’S GOT ME! As long as I keep pursuing Him, being sensitive to His Spirit, and obedient to His Word, He’s got me.

Blessings,

-Pat

Repentance Is A Good Turning Around Place

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

The road that I live on is the perfect country road for walking. From my house to my oldest son’s is one and a half miles of beautiful rolling hills and scenic pastures. Walking there and back is nearly perfect to practice for a 5K.

I rarely walk that far, though. Exactly one mile from home is my turning around spot. There is a wooden fence that meanders through the low pastures on both sides, and then the road begins its upward elevation until it reaches its highest point.

I follow the road until I reach this point. It is the one mile mark. I’m always tempted to walk further, but then reason sets in. The further I walk, the greater the distance will be to get back home.

A peculiar thing happens as I approach my turning around place. I begin to think how I am going to do it. I’m on a public road, so cars come by every so often. The people who live in the house I’m approaching can also see me if they are outside or looking out a window.

Am I going to walk to the driveway at the top of the hill and sit on the concrete bench for a minute, and then begin my walk back home? Am I going to casually look at the wildflowers on the side of the road, and then turn around? Am I going to bend down and pretend to tie my shoe? Or will I simply turn in an immediate about face and head in the other direction?

It’s funny that I’m more concerned about how I will be perceived to look when I turn around, rather than simply turning around so that I can get home.

Repentance is like this. The word actually means to turn around, or turn away from. At different times in our lives, we find ourselves walking away from our spiritual home. Away from our relationship with God and His people.

The best thing to do would be to simply turn around and go back the way we came. Instead, we spend valuable time and energy being concerned with how we will be perceived as we turn around. Unfortunately, the further we walk in the wrong direction, the longer it will take to get home.

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)

Photo by Milly Eaton from Pexels

Why The Church Is More Like Waffle House Than Outback

~ Pat Vick ~ 1 Comment

One of my and my husband’s favorite places to eat is Waffle House. Don’t judge. Of course, we enjoy all the wonderful food, not least of all, the syrupy delicious waffles, but it’s not just about the meal. Truth be told, it’s more about the atmosphere. I’ve told him before that I would like to work at Waffle House for a day. It seems like such a great avenue to meet people, and minister God’s grace day to day.

Let’s just be honest. People who frequent Waffle House know what they’re going to get. Good food cooked and served by real people. They know it’s not Outback. They don’t expect catchy slogans or meals named after exotic places. They come for the experience.

Let’s talk about the atmosphere. Again, people who frequent Waffle House don’t expect to be seated by a hostess wearing an evening gown. It’s more of a, “Come in, and make yourself at home. I’ll get to you as quick as I can,” kind of place. Some mornings there is lots of joking and laughter. Other mornings, the atmosphere is quite tense. Take our last visit, for example. The tension was thick. There were lots of dynamics at play.      

One regular patron commented to the egg cook about being short staffed. That’s all the tall servant needed to turn around and engage in 15 second’s worth of conversation. “Bruh,” he said, hanging his head and shaking it at the same time. “BRUH,” he emphasized his frustration with a smile on his face, “Short staffed everywhere.” I had caught a glimpse of his kind but stressed personality as he turned back to his labor.

The hash brown/toast/pancake lady was the apparent veteran. She was harnessing every ounce of scathing reproach that she longed to unleash upon the bacon lady and the hostess’s lackluster performance. 

The untitled servant seemed to have no official designation, but was best at being directly in the path of every other employee. Her skill set seemed to be in the area of helps because her very presence kept them all swerving, dodging, eye rolling and blinking in rapid fire precision.

I feel a bit guilty to admit that I enjoyed every minute of this observation, all the while enjoying my perfectly cooked breakfast. I would have also enjoyed chatting with each of them, and giving them a word of encouragement. Unfortunately, none of them had time to stop from their labors, and even in all the tension, they worked as a team, and provided the service the patrons had come to expect.

The Church is a bit more like Waffle House than Outback. It’s staffed with real people who, just like you and me, are pressed on every side with the stresses of life, yet doing their job admirably 99% of the time. 

When you come into the Church, don’t expect it to be perfect. Instead, enjoy the atmosphere, and the good spiritual food cooked by real people…Oh, and compliment the staff when you have the opportunity.

“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” (Luke 10:40)

The Altar Should Alter Us

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

We pastor a small, country church. It has a small, country altar. Years ago, the altar had been moved downstairs, as it often was when there was a special program that required more room at the front of the sanctuary. This time, however, the altar wasn’t moved back into place when the program was over. I realize that sounds awful, but I will add that there is a carpeted step that runs the length of the platform which served as the altar area.

One night, my husband had a dream of our two boys carrying the altar between them, and setting it back in place. He took this as instruction from the Lord, and asked our sons to do just that.

He preached that service about that old altar. He named saints that had gone on to their reward who had wept hot tears at that humble bench. He called different ones in the congregation by name, and reminded them how their mother and grandmother had agonized before God for their salvation. He told of a former District Superintendent who had given his life to Jesus while kneeling at that very altar.

Each person was called to approach the altar and make a fresh consecration to God and give reverence to that old country altar where so many lives had been changed. It was one of the most moving services that I’ve ever been a part of. Not because of any well rehearsed program or pageantry, but because of the image of people’s lives and hearts being visibly changed as they knelt or bent to lay their hand lovingly on the smooth wood, and mingled their tears with the tear stains from past generations.

It was in that service that I came to understand more deeply that the altar isn’t just a piece of furniture in a church building. The altar is a place where we are changed. Where we lay down old actions, old habits, old grudges, old ways of thinking, old sinful flesh. Down.

If we aren’t allowing the altar to change us, we’re approaching it wrong. If at all. The altar should alter us.

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

God Will Not Leave You Alone

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Yesterday I heard a familiar THUNK. It’s a sound I dread hearing. Every spring, fledgling swallows are trying out their newly learned ability to fly.

Their muddy nests are messy under the eaves of my porch, and I get so frustrated cleaning up after them. When I see them swooping and diving in wild abandon, however, I can almost hear them laughing with glee. They can FLY! This is the best thing they have ever experienced in their life to this point.

Our house has large windows on every side. Several times a year, mostly in the spring, they become bird magnets. As soon as I hear the terrible noise, I drop what I’m doing and rush outside to find the victim. Sometimes the injured will be able to fly away immediately, and I won’t ever see it. Other times, the little flyer will be stunned and gasping. Many times, it doesn’t recover.

When I heard the terrible noise, I rushed to my front porch, which was the scene of the accident. The little swallow was laying motionless on its back, its beak wide open and eyes shut, showing no evidence of being alive at all. I scooped it up in my hands, and held its tiny body as I began to pray. I gently stroked its downy feathers as I prayed life back into its immobile form. One little eye opened, and then the other. It would live after all. I set it on the window ledge to finish its recovery, and it eventually fluttered to the rooftop.

You might be thinking the sweet little swallow would have made it with or without my intervention. Maybe…but there’s something in me that can’t bear to think of even a tiny bird suffering alone. One time, I heard the thud in the dead of winter with several inches of snow on the ground. There he lay, a brightly clothed red cardinal, starkly contrasting the white snow that he had fallen in. I threw on coat and boots, rushing to gather him in my hands, and held him close as he passed from this life. I couldn’t bear for him to be alone.

If life has ever knocked the stuffing out of you, and I know it has, remember God is with you. He’s holding you in the palm of His hand. Whether you get up immediately and carry on, or you have to lie stunned and gasping for a while to gather your wits, or even if you must walk through death’s door, He will not leave you alone. He cares for one tiny fallen creature. How much more does He care for you?

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
(Matthew 10:29-31)

What Is The Greatest Cause Worth Fighting For?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

I am an animal lover. One thing that I cannot bear to watch, read about or even think about is animal abuse. I don’t mean it troubles me. I mean, it literally makes me sick in the the pit of my stomach. My body physically reacts in a negative way to the very images or thought of an animal in pain, hungry or neglected.

One day, the Lord got my attention, asking me (Not audibly) why images or thoughts of suffering children didn’t cause the same reaction in my spirit. Why wasn’t I even more horrified that humans, and even nations, were lost and undone without knowing Him?

Why, indeed?

We are programmed by society to have a cause. Make a stand! Let your voice be heard! Make a difference in your world! Hug a tree! Recycle! Save the whales! …and on and on.

There are plenty of causes to fight for. Our once pristine world that God created for us is full of injustice, wickedness, corruption, abuse, and neglect.

If we have the means to make a difference for a good cause, of course we should. Satan, however, has used many such causes to keep us from focusing on the most important cause -The Cause Of Christ.

Did you know that Jesus will return soon to gather His Bride, the Church, To Himself? Did you know that as bad as this old world gets, Jesus will heal it all during the Millennium? That’s right. We will have another 1,000 years on the earth AFTER the Rapture of the Church.

So, recycle if you can. Adopt a puppy from the shelter. Put in solar panels. But whatever you do, don’t forget that a Christian’s greatest cause should be The Cause Of Christ, and that EVERY SOUL should know Him.

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:6-9)

What’s In Your Hand?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

So often we feel too inadequate to be beneficial to the Kingdom. We think about all that others seemingly have that we don’t. Talents, giftings, finances, more free time, great singing voice, people connections, charismatic personality.

The list goes on and on, even though Paul taught, “…measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12)

The truth is God just needs you to be willing to be used. He can and will use anything that you make available to Him.

When Moses was afraid to go speak to Pharaoh, and lead the Children of Israel, God used what he already had in his hand to work miracles. What’s in your hand, Moses? Just this stick that I use to walk with. Great! I can use that!

When Jesus wanted to feed the 5,000, and there was no way to get food, he used what a young boy carried in his hand. What’s in your hand, son? Just this sack lunch my mom made me. Great! I can use that!

We need to stop fretting over what we don’t have, and figure out what we do have. Each of us has something, even if we think it’s not much.

What is it that you like to do as a hobby? Can you make that and sell it to raise money for Global Missions?

What’s that in your hand? A paint brush? Great! Can you paint Sunday School posters, or do art with the kids in Sunday School?

What’s that in your hand? Brownies? Great! Can you make several batches of those and deliver them to new families in the community with church business cards taped on top?

What’s in YOUR hand? Great! God can use that. It’s just up to you to be willing.

“And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.” (Exodus 4:2)

“There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” (John 6:9)

The Dream I Live For

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Years ago, I had a dream…or a vision…I can’t remember which. Nevertheless, it is still as fresh and real in my mind as it was back then.

I was standing on a platform/stage area, and was teaching a large auditorium full of people. They were all ages and nationalities. Every one of them was sitting Indian-style on the floor, listening very intently to what I was saying.

There was lush greenery all around. I don’t know all of the plants, but it seems many were palm trees and ferns. Everything else was white -the floor, walls, podium, and the long, white robe I wore. There were no lights of any kind. Rather, emanating from everywhere, was light so pure that it seemed to pulsate life itself.

Even my hair was pure white. The only other colors in the vast auditorium were the varying skin tones of the congregation’s faces and hands.

I remember the feeling of being healthy and whole, in both my body and mind. I wasn’t learning anymore. I knew.

When I woke, I knew that the dream/vision was in Jerusalem. It was after the Rapture of the Church. I was teaching masses of people who had not been Raptured with the Church, and had come through the Wrath of God at the end of the Tribulation period. I was teaching them God’s ways. There would be peace for 1,000 years, before satan “must be loosed a little season.”

I live for the fulfillment of this dream. I live for the time when I am in my resurrected body. This dream causes me to live in a way in the here and now so that I will obtain what He so graciously showed me. If I’m going to teach during the Millennium, I’d best get to teaching now.

If you believe that everything you do, say or learn while you are in this mortal body will affect the role you will play during those 1,000 years and beyond, what conscious decisions are you making toward that end? They all matter.

(And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Revelation 20:2-3)

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Revelation 22:12-13)

Distractions Galore!

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Yesterday, I sat in an “express care” line for about an hour and a half to be tested for YOU KNOW…I tested negative:) As I pulled away and headed home, I thought, What a waste of time! I could have been doing something productive with those hours. Then reality set in, and I wondered if I had those hours back, would I actually use them productively?

Distractions. We face them countless times throughout the day. Some people the devil can get to sin. Others, he can get distracted. Let that sink in.

Just trying to get through my Bible reading this morning, I felt the continuous pull to check my social media. I may or may not have given in…I have to refocus very often.

Let’s ask ourselves a few questions:

1. What is it that I’m suppose to be accomplishing in my life?

-This will be more than one thing. It will be comprised of one or more ministries, but also practical and family related tasks.

-This list should include long term and short term achievements.

2. What giftings/talents has the Lord given me to assist in accomplishing these tasks?

3. What continually vies for my attention that plays no part in achieving these goals?

The enemy of our souls is so very clever. He knows exactly what to use and when, to keep us from fulfilling our calling. It can literally be anything, and the more harmless it seems, the more chance it has of working.

Social Media, Hobbies, Phone Calls, Texting, Movies, Books, Podcasts, Exercise, Sickness, Shapes in the Clouds, Unexpected Visitors, Aches and Pains, Fear, Relationships, Anxiety, World News…Feel free to list more in the comments.)

We must focus on what’s truly important in our families and ministries. We must continually break free from the distractions that keep our minds scattered, and tether ourselves to the purpose God has called us to.

The scripture I have used is specifically talking about being content if you’re unmarried because a single person can focus exclusively on the things of God. However, it can be applied to anything that distracts us from our calling.

“And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.” (1 Corinthians 7:35)

Day By Day

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


We have each been called to walk a certain path with the Lord. One that He alone has chosen for us. I’m not referring to doctrine, but the course of events that comes after we are Born Again. If we could choose our own path, we would always choose the easy way. God, on the other hand, is more interested in our spiritual growth rather than our comfort.

The Fear
All of us have fears that would seem insignificant to others. Something that others would laugh at might make us quake in our skin. Such is what happened when I opened the mail a few months ago, and found a summons to federal jury duty. I would like to not share with you how embarrassingly nervous I was, to the point of physical sickness, but that would not benefit you.

After opening the summons, I knelt and prayed. It was during this prayer that the Lord impressed in my spirit that He would lead me day by day, and that He was using this process to teach me to trust Him day by day.

There was a short list of parameters that could be used to be excused from serving. Trust me when I tell you that I wanted very much to be able to claim one of them. I had been dismissed from local jury duty a few years back because we were already scheduled to be out of the country on a mission trip. That wasn’t to be the case this time around.

I immediately began to think of the month of days stretched out before me, and remember thinking, This is going to be a long month.  I was on call for the whole month of June, and had to call the jury line every weekday evening to find out if I was required to appear the next morning. The first few times I called, I literally thought I was going to be sick while listening to the recording. I called every evening for two weeks, and got the same recording informing me that, “At this time, you are not scheduled to appear.”

I was praying specifically every day, and multiple times throughout each day, that I wouldn’t have to appear at all. After two weeks of not having to go, I had let myself relax a bit. I mean, God knew how desperate and fearful I was, and I had been praying like crazy to not have to go at all.

The Submitting
The above facts made hearing the new recording, “You are scheduled to appear Monday, June  —— at 8:30 am,” very distressful. As soon as I heard the words, however, a determination came over me that could only have come from the Holy Ghost. As I had done when I first received the summons in the mail, I knelt down and prayed. I told the Lord that, apparently, what I wanted (to not have to go) and what He wanted were two different things, and I would submit to His Will. I told Him that I knew He must be working something that I didn’t know at this point, and that I would trust Him to see me through. Again, He impressed in my spirit that He would lead me day by day.

The Preparation 
So, back to the topic of all of us having fears. I do not drive downtown in any city. I. Do. Not. This was federal jury duty, so it was held in Jackson, which is over an hour’s drive from my home. This was Thursday. I knew there was no way I could wait until Monday morning to drive downtown Jackson, locate the federal courthouse, find public parking, walk several blocks, and check in by 8:30 am, so I determined to drive to Jackson the next day.

This may have been a walk in the park to you, but it was a very brave thing for me. I prayed most of the way, and for sure, once I got downtown. Thankfully, I found the courthouse and parking with little trouble. I decided to walk to the courthouse to see how long it would take. I got turned around a few times coming and going, but once I got back on the main highway, I felt so powerful, and was so thankful I had the mind to drive there ahead of time.

The Process
Monday morning came, and I set out at 6:30 am on my prepared route. I got there in perfect time, walked to the courthouse and checked in. Everyone was super nice. I’m sure they were use to many people being nervous and frustrated.

The selection process began, and that’s when it got interesting, and anointed. Some of the prospective jurors were given numbers. Others were not. I received number three which meant I was in the group to go first. The eight of us marched into the courtroom, and walked to the jury box, each sitting in our designated seats. One prospective juror was asked to step to one of several microphones placed strategically within the jury box, and tell about themselves. Thankfully, I was third, so I was able to listen to the first two, and gather my thoughts.

Again, at this point, I was so far out of my comfort zone. The courtroom seemed cavernous. The alternate prospective jurors were seated in the observation seats. The plaintiff and her lawyers were at one table. The defendant and her lawyers were at another table. The judge, in his formal robe, was reigned over the proceedings. I’m silently reminding myself that God is with me. He has either orchestrated or allowed this process. I am in this moment for a reason.

The Moment
When it was my turn, I stepped to the microphone, albeit clumsily. I looked the judge in the eyes and said in a sure voice, “I am a Born Again Christian. My husband and I have pastored a church for the last 23 and 1/2 years. Before Covid, we travelled extensively overseas, preaching, teaching and ministering. I am the editor of a Christian magazine.” I went on to tell him of our businesses and farm.

I wish I could tell you what happened inside the hearts of all those listening, but only eternity will reveal that fact. I do know that as I spoke, I was aware that my whole life came into focus for this moment. With every eye in the courtroom on me, attentive to my words, I felt the imprint of the Cross on my life, the Spirit of the Living God flowing through me, and Word and Name upholding me. I don’t believe they saw me. I believe they saw Jesus.

I wish I could say that revival broke out in that courtroom. However, in quite an anticlimactic dispersement, after all the jurors spoke, I, along with two other jurors were dismissed. Just like that. As I stepped out into the sunlight, I had a flood of emotion. Thankful for freedom and fresh air. Relief that this part of the ordeal was over. Also, an unexpected disappointment that I had been dismissed so easily after all of my spiritual and natural preparations. I still had to call every evening to find out if I had to appear for the next two weeks, but July came, and I was permanently dismissed without having to reappear.

Now, what in the world was all that about?!

Lessons From a Month of Jury Duty

  • The way to follow the Lord for one day, one week or one month, is the same way we follow Him for a lifetime. Day by Day.
  • We must be willing to accept the Lord’s will in every situation.
  • We must continue to trust the Lord even when it seems that He hasn’t answered our prayers.
  • We must realize He is working in other people’s lives as well as our own.
  • We must realize He is more concerned about our spiritual growth than our immediate comfort.
  • We must know He is very present with us even in the most trying circumstances.
  • We must accept that we may never know everything He is working through our situation.
  • We cannot follow the Lord for a lifetime until we learn to follow Him day by day.

“We cannot follow the Lord for a lifetime until we learn to follow Him day by day.” -Pat Vick Click To Tweet

Helps For Following The Lord Day By Day

Trust Him in Every Moment.

Pray Without Ceasing.

Pray in the Spirit.

Stay in the Word.

When Things Go Differently Than Expected, Continue To Trust Him.

Do Your Part. He Will Do The Rest.

Be Brave.

Speak The Truth.

Represent God’s Kingdom.

Offer Thanksgiving.

Take What You Have Learned And Apply It the Next Time.